Optimizing nutrition key to unlocking full benefits of immunocastration
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
An alternative technique to physical castration could offer US hog producers a host of financial and management benefits.
Castration alternative offers faster growth, more quality meat in study
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A novel castration alternative allows male pigs to grow faster and produce more high-quality meat than physically castrated or entire hogs, a new analysis shows.
Can’t we just let boars be boars?
Mar 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM
Swine Veterinary Services
Greensburg, Indiana
Australia’s experience with castration alternative should give global confidence, producer says
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Australian consumer acceptance of a technology that offers an alternative to physical castration should give more pork producers the confidence to use it, says one of Australia’s leading pork...
Animal welfare key to pork producers’ continuous improvement
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Animal well-being is not a new concept and has long been a priority on hog farms. “It’s one of the ethical principles within the industry’s We Care initiative,” said Sherry Webb,...
Industry and government must help producers prepare for new German castration ban, pig vet says
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
With new legislation in Germany banning castration without full anesthesia starting in 2021, the time for producers to make changes is now, a swine veterinarian says.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration rule change a chance for Europe’s producers to get ‘smarter, faster’
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Changes to rules around pig castration in Europe should be viewed as an opportunity to improve welfare and efficiencies rather than a problem producers need to overcome, says a pig health expert.
‘We’ve almost forgotten that boars just perform better’
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ever since Larry Rueff, DVM, a swine veterinarian from Greensburg, IN, stopped physically castrating some of his pigs 4 years ago, and started using a protein compound that works like an immunization...
Immunocastrated pigs eat less, convert more efficiently, so what’s holding them back in the US?
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Imagine a corn field twice the size of Chicago. That’s what the pork industry could potentially save annually if it adopted an alternative to conventional castration. With about 55 million male...
Retailers setting their sights on pain management in pig production
May 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Although antibiotics and sow housing have remained center stage in recent years, retailers are increasingly putting pressure on producers to address pain management as part of their...
Food-chain specialist: Communicate the emotional side of pork production, not the technical
Jan 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
The food supply chain has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. “It’s so much more complex and consumer driven,” said Justin Ransom, supply chain strategist. “Today’s consumer can ask...
Boar taint vaccination: Plus points for an ‘entire’ market
May 18, 2017PGT Editor
For years, Britain has boasted some of the world’s highest standards of pig welfare. But as continental Europe moves to ban surgical castration, the UK’s “castration-free” status may no...
Piglet pain control during castration still needs answers
May 17, 2017Susan Spiegel
Castrating male piglets to prevent boar taint at market age is a common occurrence on US hog farms. However, as consumer interest in on-farm practices and animal welfare grows, producers will need...
Demonstration farm helping pork industry see benefits of pig-castration alternative
May 15, 2017PGT Editor
A group of 250 intact male piglets arrives at the demonstration farm ready to be the face of a new type of pork production.
Italian meat company balances tradition, quality with need for greater sustainability
May 01, 2017PGT Editor
A century-old salumi maker says sustainable and welfare-friendly processes are key to keeping its traditional products relevant to today’s consumers.
Castration alternative credited with improving feed efficiency, carcass quality on Belgian farm
Apr 30, 2017PGT Editor
A pig producer in Belgium has reported that making the switch from surgical castration to boar-taint vaccination has resulted in better carcass quality, improved feed conversion and reduced...
Boar-taint vaccination associated with less male aggression in Australian study
Dec 15, 2016PGT Editor
Boar-taint vaccination improved the welfare of male pigs kept under commercial conditions by inhibiting sexual and aggressive behavior, according to new research from Australia.
Benefits of castration alternative presented at global pig-health event
Sep 13, 2016PGT Editor
Two world-renowned experts discussed the economic and welfare benefits of using a novel castration alternative at the 2016 International Pig Veterinary Society conference in Dublin.
Castration also hurts the bottom line in pig production
Apr 27, 2016PGT Editor
A new study from Spain shows that surgical castration leads to higher mortalities and lower weaning weights in male piglets — and as a result, diminished economic returns.
